Cromwell (1970)

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I do like a good period film on in the background when painting (painting French line whilst Waterloo is on in the background is the only way to make it pleasurable). This is good fodder to 'set the scene' whilst you stick your tongue out when concentrating on fiddly detail.  

Richard Harris and Alec Guiness play Oliver and Charles respectively. Sir Alec puts in a wonderful performance, while Mr Harris shouts his way through the script.

Just don't use it as painting inspiration, unless you want to perpetuate the myth of ironsides wearing rugby shirts.


Yes, it's all wrong. Why should anything like facts get in the way of a film script? If historical inaccuracies really offend you, then this film is not for you.

The film makers advertised their film as the result of extensive historical research... whoever the researcher was, I don't think they were researching the right Cromwell. I can understand and forgive poetic licence in order to provide a cinematic experience, and to move a story along; but this film takes 'use of poetic licence' to the extreme.

It's a film, it is entertainment. It does have the right 'feel' about it, plus it has massed battles with masses of real people not CGI.

Despite the fact that the film is nonsense, I actually really like it.

The only thing that really grates is parts of the sound track - at the start of the Naseby battle sequence, the music sounds like it has been reused from a Carry On film (or more likely, vice versa).

At the time of filming the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland were at their most intense, the producers made the very sensible decision to cut the Cromwell in Ireland scenes from the finished film. The original cut of the film ran to about 3 hours before this decision was made. I wonder if this footage still exists and if it will ever surface?

Someone has reviewed the film on YouTube and pointed out every factual error and also what they got right.  Part one and part two. I find it very amusing that the combined length of these two correction videos are longer than the film itself.


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